Today’s news in brief – 27/6/24
Your Place, an independent collection of UK boutique properties, has appointed Peter Stevens as group general manager and Gabe von der Heyde as business development manager. Stevens, formerly with Soho’s Hazlitt’s Hotel and other prestigious establishments, will manage the operations of the three properties in the collection: Victorian House in the Lake District, Chinnery House, and the flagship Georgian House Hotel in London. Gabe von der Heyde will focus on business development, including revenue management and sustainability. The founder, Serena von der Heyde, expressed excitement about their roles in driving the collection’s next chapter while maintaining high standards of service.
US-based Trinity Investments has expanded its leadership team in London to tap into the European market. The new appointees include Mai Kawashima as vice president of Acquisitions, George Austin as director of Strategic Operations, Elia Antonioudaki as vice president of Development, and Andrea Hendrick as vice president of Finance. These additions follow Trinity’s establishment of a London office in July 2023 and its first European acquisition of the Park Hyatt Zurich in April 2024. The expanded team, with extensive backgrounds in hospitality and real estate, aims to enhance Trinity’s presence and operations in Europe.
Village Hotel Club has been acquired by Blackstone from KSL Capital Partners in a deal exceeding £800m. Village operates 33 hotels and leisure clubs across the UK, employing over 4,500 staff and catering to approximately 1.8 million hotel guests and 132,000 gym members annually. Blackstone aims to further expand the Village brand. Gary Davis, CEO of Village Hotels, highlighted the brand’s unique all-in-one offering and expressed optimism about growth opportunities under Blackstone’s ownership. James Seppala of Blackstone emphasised the potential for enhancing customer experiences and supporting the brand’s next growth phase.
The Fox and Goose, a historic 129-year-old pub with rooms in Parracombe, Exmoor, has been acquired by Craig Smith and Aidan Palphramand with financing from The Cumberland Building Society. Both operators come from hospitality backgrounds, and Smith sees this acquisition as a continuation of his family’s legacy. Palphramand, an accountant, has integrated into the local community by joining the parish council. The Cumberland’s Andy Gibson expressed confidence in the couple’s vision and looks forward to their impact on the Fox and Goose. The pub, with roots dating back to the 16th century, represents a significant cultural asset for the community.
